Simulation maps insulin delivery through skin using coated microneedles
Numerical Simulation of Transdermal Insulin Delivery Using a Coated Microneedle in a 2D Skin Model
Computational Geometry
Summary
People with diabetes often need insulin shots, but giving insulin through the skin without needles is tricky. The authors created a computer model that mimics how insulin passes through the different layers of skin when delivered by tiny coated needles called microneedles. Their model helps understand how insulin spreads inside the skin and checks how accurate the predictions are by comparing them to lab experiments. This work supports better designs for painless insulin delivery methods.
What this means in practice
- •For medical device manufacturers: Design and optimize coated microneedle patches for insulin delivery by predicting how insulin moves through skin layers.$Commercial implications: Enables development of marketable painless insulin delivery patches with improved dosing control using simulation-based design.
- •For pharmaceutical formulation teams: Evaluate and refine insulin coating formulations on microneedles based on simulated skin permeation profiles to enhance delivery efficiency.
Authors
Milana Tesfamarian, Michael Heisig, Gabriel Wittum, Rolf Krause
Abstract
In this work, we present a computational model to investigate transdermal insulin delivery using coated microneedles. A detailed skin geometry incorporating a coated microneedles was developed to analyze insulin release through the different skin layers and to evaluate the influence of key transport parameters. The model represents the major skin layers: the stratum corneum, viable epidermis, and dermis. Unstructured grids were used to achieve a reliable resolution of the model. The simulations provide insights into the permeation of insulin from the coated microneedles and the transport and distribution across the different skin layers. Finally, the simulation results were compared with experimental data to evaluate the predictive capability of the model.